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From The Socialist newspaper, 10 October 2018
Strike raises pay at Liverpool airport
GMB union members on strike at Liverpool airport, September 2018, photo Hugh Caffrey (Click to enlarge)
Hugh Caffrey, North West Socialist Party
Striking workers at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport who run essential safety-related services have settled for an improved pay offer.
Management had refused to meet the workers' demand for a pay rise of at least 3%, and offered just 2.2% plus a £100 one-off lump sum. The bosses' revised offer is a two-year deal, worth 2.2% and £250 for the current financial year - which we understand equates to 3% in total - and then another rise in April of 3% proper.
This is a climb-down by the employer. GMB union members have shown they won't be pushed around by management, with a large and lively presence of pickets at the front of the airport on every strike day.
Eddie Parker, regional organiser for the GMB, said: "The increase achieved by the membership was only proposed because of the ten days of strike action taken, and the intention to take a further 15 days in October.
"It appears that the days of fair and transparent negotiations are being replaced by companies making unreasonable proposals, and expecting members to be grateful for the crumbs offered.
"GMB members have shown that by showing solidarity and keeping the principles of the trade union movement, aspirations can be achieved."
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 10 October 2018:
What we think
Tories' crisis conference - Corbyn must fight for general election
Workplace news and analysis
We need democratic, rank-and-file leadership to win national UCU disputes
First coordinated catering and courier strike whets workers' appetite for action
Another first: pub strike victory in south London!
Cable makers strike against real-terms pay cut
Strike raises pay at Liverpool airport
South Western rail guards hit 18 strike days
Socialist Party news and analysis
12 years to halt irreversible climate disaster. Capitalism's time is up
8,000 Glasgow workers plan historic mass strike
Super-rich flee to Monaco to evade Corbyn
Workers in UK do £1.2trn of unpaid housework and care
Workers' action wins Amazon pay rise
Anti-racism
Fight racism: fight for jobs, homes and services for all
25 years since 50,000 marched against the far-right threat
International socialist news and analysis
Polarisation, risks and resistance in Brazilian elections
Mexico: socialists violently attacked by gangs - urgent solidarity needed
Ireland: 10,000 march for homes in Dublin
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Liverpool 47 plaque: "Better to break the law, than break the poor"
Palestinian solidarity: "We are not victims. We are freedom fighters."
Leicestershire: stop the cuts to our hospital services
Save Huddersfield Royal Infirmary - the fight goes on
Finance - a crucial component of socialist campaigns
Opinion
The murky world of the 'Big Four' accountancy firms
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